Sixty-eight people died through 152 road crashes in Brong-Ahafo Region in the first quarter of 2013, statistics from the Regional Secretariat of the National Road Safety Commission has indicated.

According to the statistics, 221 people were injured in the accidents which involved 152 vehicles.

The figures were captured in the commission’s 2013 annual action plan, which was copied to the Ghana News Agency in Sunyani on Tuesday.

It expressed concern about the increasing rate of road crashes recorded in the region, pointing out that the commission is collaborating with the Ghana National Fire Service and Red Cross Society to provide first aid training for drivers and community volunteers.

The commission also intends to organise quarterly training for 200 identifiable drivers and a number of volunteers from 10 accident prone communities.

These interventions he said would empower the beneficiaries to improve responsiveness to post crash emergencies in the region.

The commission would soon display emergency call centre numbers in 20 communities along highways, and intensify monthly joint enforcement operations with the Driver Vehicle and Licensing Authority and the Motor Traffic Transport Unit of the Ghana Police Service to check against careless driving.

To improve road user behaviour, the commission is embarking on road safety education programmes on local radio stations in the region.